TrekBBS vs. the Music

[Nerys Ghemor]

Orphaned Land--they're prog metal from Israel. "Epic" is an excellent word for it.

Nice to see another OL fan here

Same here! Actually, this is the first time I've met another OL fan. They're not common here in the States, for sure. (Unfortunately I am not such a fan that I can correctly sing the Hebrew and Arabic parts of the lyrics, but hopefully someday... )

 

[Eyes]

Here are mine...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRNfeMaUBbo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXCmFu6JHtE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAisyMPFj-g

Right. Time to review. Haven't done any for a bit.

1. Cradle of Filth - Her Ghost In The Fog
Well, it started off good, but it just descended to huge heavy metallistic sounds and some random screaming. Not a fan of this sort of thing. Is it a perk of this band to be as weird as possible? Because I liked the classic fantasy type thing at the start, but when it started going into horror.. 3/10 for the beginning.

Snapcase - Typecast Modulator (I think?)
Anyway, this is slightly better. I'm sorry, I just don't connect well with heavy rock. All that shouting and striking guitars as hard as possible... This has a bit more of a tune, and it does have a good beat, when the singers aren't screaming over the top. Decent video, though. 5/10

3. Tori Amos - A Silent Night With You
This is better. I can definitely feel the Christmassy theme, the film that it's from doesn't look like anything I'd ever watch. It's pleasant to listen to, but a little bit boring. However, it is a relief after the other two. Sorry, I'm just a big softie when it comes to music. 6/10

My Three:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwl0BsiZfwk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm2gqeIR5io
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxu6iQ28arw

 

[Pingfah]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwl0BsiZfwk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm2gqeIR5io
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxu6iQ28arw

1. Maverick Sabre - Look What I've Done.

Like it. Was very unsure to start with, was subsequently quite surprised at the sophistication of the track. Good lyrics and impressive composition. Minus points for looking like that guy from East 17 though. 4/5

2. Jodie Connor - Now or Never

No, sorry. Banal lyrics, awful "instrumentation", bland tune all round. 1/5

3. September - Cry for You

An improvement over the previous track, but I just don't feel this stuff. And I cannot escape the feeling that this track took less time to write than it did to perform. 1/5

My 3 picks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E1TAoAxOB4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3xYXGMRRYk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcP6bgORqkE

 

[Eyes]

2. Jodie Connor - Now or Never

No, sorry. Banal lyrics, awful "instrumentation", bland tune all round. 1/5

It's actually a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine. On another forum I frequent, this one about current music, this is regarded as one of the blandest tracks to hit the top 40 this year. So yours is by far not an unpopular opinion.
I think her follow up: Bring It is actually far more generic, but this one gets a lot more hate. It's obviously far from a masterpiece, but I like it.

Good that you liked Maverick Sabre though. I first came across him doing the chorus for Pro Green's Jungle, and when I saw he was doing a few songs on his own, I thought I'd check him out. It's rather good.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E1TAoAxOB4

The Almighty--Jonestown Mind

Musically this had promise. However, I prefer lyrics to be more sophisticated than this kind of shock/frak the world type stuff. There's a far wider range of emotion that can be expressed with hard rock and metal, and more dynamic levels that can be used; all earbleed all the time is actually not the most effective way to go about it. 6/10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3xYXGMRRYk

Paolo Nutini--Candy

I really try not to be judgmental of singers' accents, since I like to listen to a lot of singers from other countries, but I kind of get the feeling this guy can't decide whether he wants to aim for an American, Irish, or British accent. I don't think I would be as bothered if it weren't for the warbling he does while he sings (I think that's a better term for it than vibrato, in this case). The harmony parts are more tolerable, and even start to remind me of the Moody Blues. But like the Moody Blues, I'm not sure there's too much substance here. Overall, I think it's the singer that messes it up the most. 5/10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcP6bgORqkE

The Twilight Singers--Gunshots

OK...this is the most promising opening so far, by FAR. Moody, just a little dissonant, makes it very interesting. The vocalist is very mellow; his voice seems to "float" above the music. He does have the little imperfections that tell you he's not autotuned to death, but it's not like the previous singer...there's "character" there, but definite control over his technique. He seems to fit in like an instrument, a part of the ensemble, as he sings. You've got a winner here. 9/10



Here are mine...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSx_N18TWjs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyvOJlX4ZkE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqEASYwINsU&feature=fvst

 

[Jetfire]

Here are mine...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSx_N18TWjs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyvOJlX4ZkE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqEASYwINsU&feature=fvst

1. Daft Punk "The Game Has Changed" From TRON Legacy.

I haven't heard this before...but generally dig Daft Punk. I like some electronic/techno music. This was pretty good. B-Good.

2. Symphony X "Paradise Lost"

I haven't heard this before. I am not sure where this fits...it is very 80's rock/metal feel. It was ok. C-Average/Ok.

3. Marc Cohn "Walking In Memphis"

Heard before. Love this song! Nice softer rock with a bit of soul and country. A-Excellent!

Here are mine...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7degaA1Pz7k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygiTv7tEYm0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE66MPAO3Es or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSBIl4MpmOs (if not in US)

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Symphony X is a power/prog metal band, and they definitely have an 80s influence on them. That particular song has the 80's feel very strongly.

Glad you like "Walking in Memphis," though. That's an old, old childhood favorite of mine. I know it sounds stupid...but it still brings tears to my eyes sometimes because it resonates with me so much. (Not BAD tears, though.)

 

[Pingfah]

OK...this is the most promising opening so far, by FAR. Moody, just a little dissonant, makes it very interesting. The vocalist is very mellow; his voice seems to "float" above the music. He does have the little imperfections that tell you he's not autotuned to death, but it's not like the previous singer...there's "character" there, but definite control over his technique. He seems to fit in like an instrument, a part of the ensemble, as he sings. You've got a winner here. 9/10http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqEASYwINsU&feature=fvst

Interesting isn't it. I'd actually go as far as to say he that he cannot hold a tune particularly well, but you are right, he treats his voice like an instrument.

There are some singers who's ability to hold a tune seems not to affect their ability to sing soulfully and melodically, I guess he just has so much character in his voice to compensate for it.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Wow, seems we had a bunch of posts over the weekend that doubled up. Incredible, this thread. We can go 4 days without anyone posting anything at all, and then all of a sudden 2 of us (or even THREE, it looks like! ) get motivated all at once.

Unbelievable.

I'm marking it down to 'great minds think alike'.

Anyway, I have someplace I have to be so I can't review anything right now...but I wanted to thank those who chipped in to review 6 when Goliath and I overposted each other...and also make a couple of quick comments.

AJ - I really am going to listen to more of Cage the Elephant. I have actually favorited that one song you posted over at YouTube, have played it a few times, and am now more than mildly curious as to what they have come up with otherwise. If you have particular suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

Kestrel - yes, you recognized that comment on Pink Lemon Music as mine - I use PKTrekGirl pretty much everyplace on the internet except for Facebook (where I use my real name, of course) and one LOST board where I did not want to risk being associated with being a mod here.

But yeah...I do write a lot of comments on YouTube. Seems I am NEVER short on 'opinions', huh?


And by the way, now that I'm thinking of it....if any of you guys have YouTube channels and want to friend me over there, I'd really like that. I love logging in over there and seeing what my friends have favorited, liked, uploaded, etc. Admittedly, a large portion of my friends over there are Pearl Jam or Alice in Chains fans (I know - you're all shocked )...but I would love some variety in my friends list over there...and you guys are all just great!

EDIT TO ADD:

Eyes: Is that Maverick Sabre guy actually an Irish rapper? I didn't think that was, like, possible.

 

[Jetfire]

PKTrekGirl If you end up reviewing mine...you won't like the first song.

 

[Eyes]

EDIT TO ADD:

Eyes: Is that Maverick Sabre guy actually an Irish rapper? I didn't think that was, like, possible.

You're more observant than me, but now that you mention it, he does sound Irish when rapping. Should have noticed.

I'll friend you on Youtube, but be warned, my channel is very bare. I haven't uploaded anything, ever, and I've only recently even used it for anything other than liking videos and adding the odd comment i.e I've smartened it up a little bit.
I still have likes and favourites, just no friends, and only 6 subscriptions.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

AJ - I really am going to listen to more of Cage the Elephant. I have actually favorited that one song you posted over at YouTube, have played it a few times, and am now more than mildly curious as to what they have come up with otherwise. If you have particular suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

James Brown (just to have a non-single)

Back Against the Wall

And the single off their new album (shows a bit difference in style, imo):
Shake Me Down.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

PKTrekGirl If you end up reviewing mine...you won't like the first song.

Of course, this comment only served to make me extremely curious about that first song, so I just listened to it.

Bottom line - you are right.

But then, it's not like I've been at all vague with regard to my feelings surrounding death metal.

I'm sure that for those who enjoy that genre (and I realize fans of death metal are legion) those guys are quite good. But I'm just not feelin' the love. And yes...I did listen to the entire clip.

On the plus side, I did like the other two songs. I don't know if I should review the group, because everyone knows my feelings about death metal already. But if no one does in a day or two, I'll take them on and discuss the other two. The second one in particular I really enjoyed. But then, that probably comes as no shock either.

 

[Thestral]

Been awhile, think it's my turn eh?

Here are mine...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7degaA1Pz7k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygiTv7tEYm0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE66MPAO3Es or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSBIl4MpmOs (if not in US)

Kataklysm - As I Slither
Yeah, I'm not much of a death metal fan either. Screaming is ok in certain things and I'll get an ocassional hankering for hard stuff (see one of my selections this time) but generally speaking... no. Although, I do like the music for the most part. Nice solid guitar work if not terribly unique. I can see what the singer's going for and in the right setting, it might work. Really if he wasn't doing the "evil growl" I'd have a much higher opinion I think. Fairly standard (for my limited exposure) death metal lyrics. Yeah, overall I'd have to say 7/10 for the music but 2/10 for the vocals. Call it a 5/10 overall.

Def Leppard - Let's Get Rocked
Now this, on the other hand - excellent. Can't go wrong with classic 80s/early 90s rock, and Def Leppard as always is a great example of it. It... rocks, not sure how else to put it. I'm vaguely familiar with this song but it's not one that I'm especially familiar with. Def Leppar's got a good sound, steadily rocking but not overdoing it to the point where you feel like you're gonna be knocked over, you can rock along with it. I don't care what anybody says, this stuff's still good (if just a touch before my time I guess!) Sure, it ain't anything especially unique or fantastic, but I like it. 8/10

Deana Carter - We Danced Anyway
Aww, I do enjoy this stuff in the right doses. Nice and sweet, very old-fashioned but nothing wrong with that. It's funny, I've kinda avoided country for the last couple years with rare exceptions (2 years working in a Texas Roadhouse kinda did that to me) but beforehand I would go through the ocassionaly couple-months-long country splurge when driving. Sure, this song isn't terribly deep, and I'm sympethetic to the argument that the best country/bluegrass is the misery songs - but goshdarnit, how can you not smile at this and feel nice about it? Deana Carter's got a nice voice, and the fiddles and guitar do a good job backing her up. 7/10 overall, but higher right now for some reason.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iywaBOMvYLI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHtSW5_FU2o (Stop around 3:45 or so)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alUEEA9qFXM

 

[Jetfire]

^
Yeah Def Leppard was one of my favorite bands in the late 80's/early 90's.

I enjoy Kataklysm alot...they are just brutal & fell in love with Deana Carter many years ago.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

As for Kataklysm...not awful, by any means, but I definitely prefer the more sophisticated prog-death metal bands like Opeth or Orphaned Land.


System of a Down--Toxicity

(Awww...I was hoping this would be a different song of theirs I used to hear on the radio. Anyway...) I think the vocalist is stronger when he's singing quietly than when he screams...the main problem is I find myself comparing him to Maynard James Keenan, who I think controls both styles equally well. Overall, this is NOT a bad song at all, well mixed, and the band is good at what they do. But I think as soon as the Tool comparison got in my head I just found myself wanting to play Lateralus instead. So...8/10.


U2 & Green Day - The Saints Are Coming

Who dat? I can't say I am a big NFL fan but I was so glad to see the Saints have their day. I feel like Bono so outclasses the Green Day vocalist that the disparity between the two of them becomes a bit too obvious. However, in terms of the song itself, I hate political lyrics. I HATE political lyrics--especially since it's the trendy thing to do these days; it doesn't take one iota of courage, just a desire to look edgy so you can cash in. Major points off for that. 4/10.


Chicago || Cell block tango {He had it coming...}

OOOOOOOH YEAH! I almost cheered out loud when I saw this pop up as the title of the tab I was opening up! GENIUS all around--the music, the lyrics, the choreography (especially the way they showed the murders--and the one that was wrongfully convicted--with the handkerchiefs), the costumes, the movie...everything. The buildup into the song, the revelation of the stories of each criminal, and the vocal talent...I can't say enough! Especially after the disappointment that was the last song, this was a wonderful way to finish up. Perfection. 10/10


Here are mine...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ49Q0zogIU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGwL97BRAOE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2t3IsT0BEM (This is a cover version, not the original.)

 

[Alidar Jarok]

U2 & Green Day - The Saints Are Coming[/B]

Who dat? I can't say I am a big NFL fan but I was so glad to see the Saints have their day. I feel like Bono so outclasses the Green Day vocalist that the disparity between the two of them becomes a bit too obvious. However, in terms of the song itself, I hate political lyrics. I HATE political lyrics--especially since it's the trendy thing to do these days; it doesn't take one iota of courage, just a desire to look edgy so you can cash in. Major points off for that. 4/10.

I'll point out that it's actually a cover song by a Scottish punk band, the Skids. If you want to check it out. I feel it has something to do with the troubles, but I don't remember exactly what the song is about.

That being said, despite U2 having origins in Irish punk and Green Day being originally a Bay area punk, they managed to suck the song of it all in their cover.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

That particular version, though, was capitalizing on the Katrina tragedy. I didn't like that, as I despise most all political lyrics. People are free to write that; I am free not to listen to it...that's how I feel about such things.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

I'll point out that it's actually a cover song by a Scottish punk band, the Skids. If you want to check it out. I feel it has something to do with the troubles, but I don't remember exactly what the song is about.

That being said, despite U2 having origins in Irish punk and Green Day being originally a Bay area punk, they managed to suck the song of it all in their cover.

^ This. I gotta agree with AJ on this one. I must have missed where U2 was so great on this song. I found the whole thing to be rather bland and borderline cheesy, considering it was supposed to be one of these huge events for the Saints. It felt pretty unrehearsed, also. And I think if you are going to make a supergroup, even for a one off like this, you ought to sound more 'together' since people are expecting double the awesome. Not half the awesome.

I am not really much of a fan of either of these bands...but I also don't hate either. I just found this rendition to lack inspiration. I'm glad two big named bands turned out to support the Saints (hopefully for free )...but I feel they were capable of better.

 

[Thestral]

I'll point out that it's actually a cover song by a Scottish punk band, the Skids. If you want to check it out. I feel it has something to do with the troubles, but I don't remember exactly what the song is about.

From what I can find out, the song was about a friend of the songwriter who was killed in Northern Ireland while serving in the British Army. I actually considered going with the Skids version instead, but I first heard the song as the U2/Green Day combination and I really liked the pageantry. I do agree that the Skids version is superior overall.

That particular version, though, was capitalizing on the Katrina tragedy. I didn't like that, as I despise most all political lyrics. People are free to write that; I am free not to listen to it...that's how I feel about such things.

Ehh, capitalizing on Katrina or reinvigorating the spirit of the Gulf region? Also, I find it interesting you hate political lyrics but liked System's song.

Glad you liked Cell Block Tango!

I am not really much of a fan of either of these bands...but I also don't hate either. I just found this rendition to lack inspiration. I'm glad two big named bands turned out to support the Saints (hopefully for free )...but I feel they were capable of better.

I actually think the studio version is better - definitely seems more rehearsed for one - but I like the pageantry and the trumpets of the live version.